Khabib Nurmagomedov Reacts To UFC 294 Main Event Change: "If King Kong Can Make 155, Bring Him Here"
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been a man of few words since retiring from MMA in 2021.
However, upon news breaking late Tuesday night from UFC CEO Dana White about Nurmagomedov's teammate, Islam Makhachev, and his last-minute rematch against current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in just 10 days, Nurmagomedov gave his two cents about what it means on the X platform.
Nurmagomedov held the title from April 2018 to Oct. 2020, defeating the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje along the way.
"Islam is a world champion right now," Nurmagomedov said. "If someone can make 155 and the UFC said, 'This guy's a contender.' Who cares? Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who. If King Kong can make 155, okay, bring this guy here. Doesn't matter. I told Ali, Islam this morning, 'It doesn't matter. You're the world champion. Volk, Charles, Justin. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who.'"
Nurmagomedov acknowledged that the first fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski was close but said Makhachev was the better fighter that night in February.
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What are the stakes entering UFC 294?
Nonetheless, despite Volkanovski's absence due to a previous injury, the UFC featherweight champion is taking the fight on 10 days' notice, arguably making the new UFC 294 main event better than its original. Charles Oliveira, who suffered a severe gash on his eyebrow Monday night, was the original opponent for Makhachev.
The event is the promotion's second-straight October trip to Abu Dhabi as part of a multi-year deal. This main event is also Makhachev's second in the UAE in his last three fights, as he won the lightweight title from Oliveira last October at UFC 280.
What are your thoughts on Khabib Nurmagommedov's comments regarding Makhachev-Volkanovski 2?
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